Dear Friends,

Are you ready to wade in the water this fall at All Saints? We’re inviting every person to choose ways to go deeper in faith, deeper in community this fall. We often sing “Wade in the Water” on Sundays when we baptize. The hymn refers to two stories from our past—the Israelites escaping slavery in Egypt and the healing pool at Bethesda that only “works” when God stirs up the waters (John 5:1-9). This hymn may have been sung on the Underground Railroad to guide those escaping slavery. 

Going deeper into water is a complex invitation: it’s an invitation to cool off on a hot day, an invitation to test one’s skills as a new swimmer (think of children’s excitement and fear of the “deep end” of the pool!), an invitation to fully enjoy something, an invitation to take a risk, trusting God is in the very deep that is also frightening. That’s the invitation of our faith, of our community. 

When life is harried and harmful, cool off in our community. When you’re struggling in your faith or need a deeper faith cling to, take a risk by joining a Small Group, trying Centering Prayer, or trying a new ministry. One of the opportunities to grow deeper in faith this fall is taking part in the new weekly EfM: Catechumenate group meeting between the 9 and 11 am services, beginning in October, which is a chance to learn more about our faith with other folks from All Saints. There is information about all of those opportunities below.

Only you know what a next step into the water looks like, but we want to walk with you as you take that next step.

See you in church!

Faithfully, Suzanne

P. S. We’ve got new service music (the music that is set week to week: Gospel acclamation (Alleluia), Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord at the beginning of the Eucharist), and the Fraction anthem (often Lamb of God at the breaking of the bread at the Eucharist). Come prepared to learn some new music!

Back to School Drive for Ravenswood Elementary School

This is the last Sunday to donate!

Our friends at Ravenswood Elementary have asked us to collect paper and supplies to get the school year off to a great start. Anything we are able to give will be welcomed by the staff and students at Ravenswood. 

More info below in the Social Justice & Outreach section

Reunite, Reuse, Re-upcycle

Parish Hall from 8:00am-12:00pm

Free parish items available to take away.



Over time items are left on the church premises, sometimes forgotten, sometimes gifts, sometimes who knows. This Sunday we’ll have all those treasures available for a freecycle popup. What doesn’t walk away gets thrown away.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 8:00AM, 9:00AM, and 11:00AM. Free childcare is available on Sundays for children 6 months – 3 years old, from 8:45am – 12:15pm.

THIRD SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Every 3rd Sunday of the month we offer Taizé at 6:00 pm.

WEDNESDAY EVENING CENTERING PRAYER

We offer Centering Prayer on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.



WEEKDAY MORNING PRAYER

We offer daily morning prayer (Monday – Friday) from 8:30 am – 9:00 am on Zoom.

Learn more about Worship at All Saints on our website.

Season of Creation at All Saints

Wednesday Services at 6:00 pm

September 9, 16, 23, & 30

As we approach the Season of Creation, the first Sunday in September to our annual Pet Blessing, the Feast of St. Francis, on Sunday, October 4, we invite you to a mid-week, quiet reflective eucharist.  

On the Wednesdays of the Season of Creation, we will gather at 6 pm in the church for eucharist straight from The Book of Common Prayer. In the place of a sermon, we will have a brief guided meditation on the theme of the season this year, “Living Water.”  

We would also invite you to consider staying for our Centering Prayer that will follow the eucharist at 7 pm.  

A Wedding on Sunday morning? Yes!

Next Sunday, September 6 at 11 am

In the Anglican Communion, there is a long-standing tradition of parishioners being married during a regular Sunday morning service, with the understanding that such a service should happen when the community is gathered, similar to baptism. In practice, this has become somewhat rare as couples plan large weddings and want more control over the liturgy for their wedding. On Sunday, September 6, however, Scottie Caldwell and Duncan Reilly will be married during the 11 am service; their vows will take place mid-service, after the sermon. The readings will be the usual Sunday readings, though the prayers will be altered a bit so that we pray for the church and the world AND the couple, and there will be more people than usual at the service. So, plan to arrive a bit early to get a seat and to worship and to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage for Duncan and Scottie!

Wade in the Water

Deepening Faith and Connection

We invite you this Fall to “Wade in the Water,” to go deeper in your relationship with God and one another. For us, water is an image that beckons refreshment, cleansing, baptism, and can be at times challenging - to discover the depth of our connections in community and beyond.

There will be many ways to Wade in the Water this Fall by joining a small group (see the announcement and sign up links below), participating in worship focused on creation, renewal, and baptism, joining a group on Sunday mornings to learn more about our faith, by continuing your friendships here, in prayer alone and with others, conversations at coffee hour, and in singing hymns.

How will you Wade in the Water?

EfM: Catechumenate - Begins in October 

Ready to go deeper in faith? Thinking about baptism or confirmation?

Sign up below to receive more info.

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of study, prayer, and reflection using trained mentors to facilitate small group discussions and guide participants to examine life through an increasingly informed and inspired theological lens. 

This year they are piloting a new program EfM: Catechumenate, and we are one of the “test sites.” In fact, Colin, Courtney, and Suzanne were part of a group that reflected on this curriculum with the creators, Jim Turrell, Dean of The School of Theology at Sewanee, and Jeff Lee, former Bishop of Chicago and All Saints parishioner!

This fall, we are inviting ALL members at All Saints who want to learn more about and discuss their faith to join this group, which will meet Sundays between the 9 and 11 am services. There is reading or other “homework" between weekly meetings, and participants should plan to attend most weeks. 

In January, we will turn our attention to what it means to make a mature decision to partake in the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation, reception into the church, and reaffirmation of baptismal vows) as we move towards the Easter Vigil, when adults are traditionally baptized. 

Questions? Contact Colin (colin@allsaintschicago.org) or Suzanne (suzanne@allsaintschicago.org).

Read to sign up and dip your toes in the water?

Sign up. HERE.

Connecting at All Saints: All Saints Small Groups

September - December 2026

All Saints has been experimenting with small groups as a way to deepen our connections with God and one another. Beginning in 2025, we offered small groups that met for 4-6 weeks. Following feedback from these groups we offered new groups that met for 3 months beginning in the winter of 2026. Those were so successful that we’re offering the 3-month small group format again beginning the third week of September until the first week of December.

This “quarterly” time will allow group participants to get to know one another more fully and to connect with others across our various service times while trying out a variety of spiritual practices together. Group conversations are supplemented with a weekly video by the clergy discussing the upcoming Gospel, a fun and enriching way to hear first-hand how our priests wrestle with the text.

Please consider joining one of these groups as we continue to build strong connection and community at All Saints.

Questions? Contact Suzanne or Rich Havard.

Church Clean Up Day

Saturday, September 5 from 10:00am - 12:00pm

Join us to make the church sparkle for the start of the program year. Meet in the sanctuary. Please let Courtney (courtney@allsaintschicago.org) know if you’re able to attend.

All Saints Book Club

September 10 at 7:30 pm (Zoom)

Chicago, by Brian Doyle

A love letter to Chicago, the Great American City, and a wry account of a young man’s coming-of-age during the one summer in White Sox history when they had the best outfield in baseball, Chicago is a novel that will plunge you into a city you will never forget and may well wish to visit for the rest of your days.



The All Saint’s Book Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM on Zoom. If you are not a regular attendee, contact Mike Burke mebcat@gmail.com for the meeting invite.

Knit, Purl, Pray!

Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 am



Calling all knitters, needle pointers, weavers, and crafters of all kinds! Are you interested in crafting while getting to know some of your fellow All Saints community members? Interested in learning more? Contact Colin at colin@allsaintschicago.org. 

Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of the Month from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Church School Re-opening: Save the Dates

There's nothing like the energy at All Saints when our buildings are filled with kids! As the Church School team prepares the Atria to welcome students back for the 2026-27 year, these are the key dates you need to know.

Sunday, September 13

First day in the Atrium for the following children:

- Returning Atrium I students (ages 4–6), at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

- New and returning students in Atrium II (6–9) and Atrium III (9–12), at 10 a.m.

Saturday, September 19

Children ages 3–6 who are new to Atrium I this year and their families are invited to a gentle orientation just before their first day. Please join us for this Saturday introduction to the Atrium from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Sunday, September 20

First day in Atrium I for new students.

If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 12 who would like to join the All Saints' church school for the first time, you can register for our free program and learn more by emailing Children’s Formation Coordinator Polly Tangora: polly@allsaintschicago.org 

Hey All Saints! Are you ALL IN?

All Saints Annual ALL SAINTS | ALL IN Weekend

Saturday, September 12: a day of events for everyone

Games and Events begin at 4:00PM

Pizza Dinner and Music at 6:00PM

We're kicking off our return to the program year with a Saturday celebration. There will be Games, Pizza, PhotoBooth, Music, Crafts, Tie-Dye (supplies and t-shirts provided), and more!

Sunday, September 13: All Parish photo between the services

We’ll gather at 10:45am in front of the church for our annual Parish Photo

The Pantone Color of the Year is Cloud Dancer, a soft off-white that has garnered its share of controversy as being uninspired and tone-deaf to current political tensions regarding race, the economy, and whether white is even a color. So, we’re inviting you to wear white with accents of colors from our stained glass windows to illustrate the beauty of faith, connection, and the diverse ways we come together to create God’s Beloved Community at All Saints.

Register below for Saturday so we know you’re coming.

Back to School Drive for Ravenswood Elementary School

We’re collecting this Sunday!

Our friends at Ravenswood Elementary have asked us to collect paper and supplies to get the school year off to a great start. Anything we are able to give will be welcomed by the staff and students at Ravenswood. 

Please bring supplies to church on August 23 for our back to school blessing and no later than August 30 so that we can get everything delivered to the school. Below is a list of what they’ve requested.

Copy Paper Drive: Rather than donating paper to the school, we are collecting money and will order paper to be delivered right to the school’s loading dock.

Contribute to the Paper Drive HERE

(Choose Ravenswood School Outreach)

Backpacks: We need 10-12 backpacks for students who are enrolling in school for the first time.  

School Supplies: Pencils, erasers, markers, notebooks, etc (All the things you can find in the “Back to School” aisle) to fill up the backpacks. Here is a link to the list of school supplies for Ravenswood to help you choose some of the items.

Let's make a BAD DECISION FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

On Sunday, August 30, Malört is setting the record for “The Largest Mass of People Taking a Shot of Malört at the Same Time.”

Proceeds benefit Ravenswood Community Services!

In-Person tickets have sold out!

You can still participate! Join the Livestream or go to a participating bar. List of bars in the link below.

Grab a free livestream ticket and we’ll send you the link before the event: Livestream from 6-8pm Central.

Tickets and Info HERE

The Spirits of Ravenswood

Friday, October 16 at 7:00PM

Join Ravenswood Community Services for a spirited evening of Halloween themed fun featuring a costume contest, local beer and spirits, games and prizes, tarot readings, and more! Come raise a glass and help raise essential funds for RCS' Food Pantry and Community Kitchen.

This is a neighborhood Halloween party where all levels of costume appetites are welcomed and encouraged. From over-the-top to not-your-thing, come in something festive and fun!

The Spirits of Ravenswood is a fundraiser to feed our neighbors. This year we invite you to raise

more than just the dead at this spirited evening of Halloween fun! Costumes welcome and encouraged but not required (but like…it's Halloween).

Tickets and Info HERE

VOLUNTEER AT RAVENSWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)

RCS & Tuesday Pantry Volunteers

RCS is always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you've been thinking you might like to give volunteering with RCS a try, now would be a really great time. 



Click to Volunteer Hub! 

RCS is looking for volunteers to join 

the Tuesday Delivery Crew. 

Every Tuesday between 12:30-2pm volunteers unload A LOT OF FOOD from pallets on the sidewalk to the Parish Hall for distribution. You should feel comfortable lifting 30-50 lbs and going up and down stairs. Those interested should reach out to Parker at parker@ravenswoodcommunityservices.org.



Our next vestry meeting: September 15 at 7 pm in the Reading Room. Vestry meetings are open to the public. To see the most current Vestry Minutes click here.

It’s time for our fourth annual Breeze (our secure directory database) update. 

Please complete the update by Sunday, September 20

UPDATE Link Here

We want to know and serve you and your family better! 

When we know more about our All Saints community, we can serve you better. In that spirit, we invite you to complete the demographic section of the update so that we can continue to learn more about our demographics, particularly race and age. 

You can check your own Breeze profile to make sure it is up to date by clicking the Member Login button. And we ask that you fill out the form whether you’re new to the directory or already have info there.

How to ddd a current photo of yourself, your family:

Log into Breeze and update or add photos. 

You can click here to see how to do this. 

MORE INFO HERE

Thank you for helping us to update our database. 

Questions? Contact Courtney: courtney@allsaintschicago.org.

8:00am

Altar Guild: Brian Kozlowski

9:00am

Acolytes: Jonah Kruse & Julie Sweeney

Altar Guild: Eric Swiecki

Chalice: Chad Kruse, Ben Sweeney, & Eric Swiecki

Intercessor: Douglas Matteson

Lectors: Reader 1) Chad Kruse; 2) Ben Sweeney

Ushers: Michael Mattson & Jack Ryan

Vestry Announcement: John Dufour



Coffee Hour: summer casual, if the spirit moves, you are invited to set up the ice tea and lemonade on the front lawn. All the supplies you need are in the Reading Room (tables, cups, and beverages in the fridge).

11:00am

Acolytes: Gretchen Schlabach & Skip Yates

Altar Guild: Sarah Hallett & Alexandra Sandin

Chalice: Liz Morris, Gretchen Schlabach, & Skip Yates

Intercessor: Caroline Moore

Lectors: Reader 1) Eileen Crowley; Reader 2) Terry DeLisio

Ushers: Amy Jacobson

Vestry Announcement: TBD

2nd Sunday Sparkling Sunday: 



4th Sunday Coffee Hour:

Facebook Livestream Team at the 11:00am Service

Audio: Dylan Masterson

Camera: June Coyne

Those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: especially for D.L., Farley Sirockman, Pete, Phyllis, the Buzzell family, Michael, Allison, Joe, and JJ Detty, and for those whose hurt, burdens, and fears go unspoken.

For those on our long-term prayer list: especially for Andrea K., Judy Palapala, Ashley D., Bryan Bergman, Trisha Diamond, Bob McCamant & family, Noel McGraw, Allen Masterson, Ruth, Sherry, Ron Lee, Robert Winslow, LouAnne Severson, Anna K., Neal, Steve Burns, Ashton Christy, Eugene Washington, Helen LoRusso, Peg Deppe, Nina Chinn, Jim Crandall, Lionel Edes, and Clara Maddox.

For those around the world: especially those affected by war; and our siblings in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Renk, South Sudan.

For those who celebrate birthdays this week:

8/30 - Poppy Lentz, Julia Strauch, Caroline Weld

8/31 - Miriam Sjoblom

9/1 - Eric Edstrom, Mariella Springer, Clarine Stephens

9/3 - Steve Pike

9/4 - Eileen Krause, Phil Staurseth

9/5 - Nina Chinn, Sadie Landis

For those who celebrate anniversaries this week:

8/30 - Andrew Rohm & Laura Hubbard

9/3 - Colby & Debby Maddox, Bill & Harlan Shropshire

9/4 - David & Lori Gee



For those who have died: May the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

www.allsaintschicago.org

Listen to Sermons
 on Soundcloud

Having trouble viewing? Open newsletter in web browser